The Environment Agency is continue to explore its options via working with partners to investigate how they could reduce flooding from the River Thames in north Reading and Lower Caversham.
There is a long history of flooding along the Thames including the Reading and Caversham area. In 2012 and 2014, homes and businesses in low lying areas of Caversham flooded, while in 2003 many homes and businesses were surrounded by flood water and a number of roads were closed to vehicles.
The Agency said that the best scientific evidence suggests that severe weather events are likely to be more frequent and more intense in the future, increasing the risk of flooding, commenting:
“This is why it is so important for us to look at how to reduce flood risk now and design a scheme that will reduce flooding from a major flood in north Reading and Lower Caversham.”
Options to reduce flood risk
According to the EA, which has considered a number of different options to reduce flooding, most of the techniques considered would not work on their own to reduce the impact from a major flood. The option that would protect the largest number of people would include a combination of flood reduction methods like embankments, flood walls and temporary removable flood barriers.
If the scheme is developed, it will reduce flood risk for homes, businesses, utilities and a number of busy roads in the area. However, at this stage the flood reduction proposals are not fully funded and do not have approval or planning permission. The Agency said:
“The decision to investigate this proposal does not mean that it will definitely be developed through to construction.”
Public engagement to continue over summer months
The EA has already held a series of public engagement events during 2018 to understand people’s views on reducing flood risk in north Reading and Lower Caversham. However, a consultation held in 2018 showed that the Agency has not yet managed to engage with all the communities who could benefit from reduced flood risk. The EA is therefore continuing to carry out further engagement to ensure the views are gained from all communities in the Reading and Caversham area.
A number of public events will be organised over the summer months to continue to raise awareness of the work they have been doing.
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